TSWRLM -Chapter 1 All She Wants Is Her Contract of Freedom

Chun Xi was not qualified to attend Wei Lingze’s recovery banquet.

Summoned by the First Madam, she passed by the garden and saw a group of people gathered around Wei Lingze.

After the congratulations, someone asked, “That maid named Chun Xi has devoted herself to taking care of Brother Wei for three years. Now that he’s recovered, will you give her a proper status?”

As soon as those words were spoken, the garden fell silent.

After injuring his leg, Wei Lingze had sunk into despair. For the first two years, he shut himself away, only beginning to go out and meet people again last year.

Wherever he went, he always brought a maid with him.

Everyone knew he treated that maid differently from others.

After a long pause, Wei Lingze finally spoke, “She is indeed good at serving people. If you like her, you can take her.”

It was a bright spring day, flowers blooming in abundance. The young nobles present were all spirited and confident, yet Wei Lingze stood out the most among them.

He had cast off the gloom of the past and regained the striking presence of a young general.

As he said this, the corner of his lips curved slightly, his smile thin and indifferent, unrestrained.

Yes—how could a lowly maid possibly be worthy of a talented young general skilled in both civil and military arts?

Besides, he already had a childhood sweetheart—his beautiful and talented fiancée.

Amid the crowd’s mocking laughter, Chun Xi went to the First Madam Yun’s courtyard.

Seated at the head, Madam Yun wore newly made clothes, adorned with pearls and jade, radiating festivity. “You’ve done well taking care of the young master. Ask for whatever you want.”

Chun Xi lowered her head and spoke softly, “Replying to Madam, this servant wishes for her own contract of freedom, and one hundred taels of silver.”

“You want to leave the Wei family?”

Madam Yun was somewhat surprised.

Chun Xi bent her knees and knelt. “I ask Madam to grant it.”

Madam Yun had always been proud of her son. When Wei Lingze was crippled, as long as he was happy, even if he doted on Chun Xi to the heavens, Madam Yun would cover for him. But now that he had recovered, Chun Xi had become a blemish.

Moreover, Wei Lingze had previously taken Chun Xi out often, so many people knew the Wei family kept a loyal maid. For the sake of the family’s reputation, they couldn’t deal with her carelessly.

Since Chun Xi was so sensible, Madam Yun was generous.

On the spot, she gave Chun Xi her contract of freedom and a banknote worth one thousand taels. She also ordered servants to bring out fine fabrics, hairpins, and jewelry from the storeroom, filling an entire carriage to send Chun Xi home.

As soon as the carriage reached the alley, neighbors gathered to watch. Upon hearing it was a gift of gratitude from the Wei family, they all praised the family for being loyal and generous.

After the crowd dispersed, Chun Xi’s mother, Madam Wang, turned cold. “Are you stupid? You let the Wei family send you off with just this little?”

Her sister-in-law, Madam Qian, who had been selecting fabrics, trembled in fright, withdrew her hand, and stepped back reluctantly.

Such fine things… were they really going to be returned?

When Chun Xi had sold herself into servitude eight years ago, the family had been on the brink of starvation. Yet now, a whole carriage of fine silks still failed to satisfy Madam Wang.

Chun Xi’s tone also cooled. “The one who treated the young master’s leg was an imperial physician, and the Wei family spent a fortune on medicine. There were more than just me serving in his courtyard. Madam has already given so much—what more does Mother want?”

Madam Wang frowned. “There may have been many servants, but you were the only one attending him personally. You’ve already had intimate contact with him—how will you marry in the future?”

“Mother is right. Then please stand up for your daughter—go speak to Madam Wei and have her send a matchmaker to propose marriage.”

“Propose what marriage? How could the Wei family possibly look up to us? And doesn’t the young master already have a fiancée?”

Madam Wang raised her voice, her eyes widening. Chun Xi curled her lips into a mocking smile. “So Mother knows that too.”

Chun Xi’s sharp gaze made Madam Wang’s face burn. She softened her tone. “Our status is low—we can’t hope for too much. Even being a concubine would be fine. You cared for him day and night for three years. In his heart, no one can replace you.”

“Since Mother knows those three years were special, once the young madam enters the household, do you think your daughter will have a good life?”

Though concubines had a title, in front of the main wife they were still servants, subject to beating or being sold at will.

Madam Wang choked, not daring to meet Chun Xi’s eyes. Her voice weakened. “They’ve been engaged for a long time, but after the young master was injured, the other party delayed the marriage. It shows hesitation—there must be a rift. The young master will protect you.”

Protect her?

Wei Lingze was ambitious and determined to achieve great things. He wouldn’t stay by Chun Xi’s side at all times—how could he protect her?

Chun Xi laughed in anger. “If the young master protects me and the young madam can’t touch me, do you think she might take it out on my family instead?”

Madam Wang’s eyelids twitched as realization struck.

Yes—people like them were nothing more than ants before powerful families. A few careless words could cost them their lives.

As her greed faded, maternal affection surfaced. Madam Wang’s eyes reddened immediately. “I was foolish just now. Don’t be angry with me. You’ve suffered all these years. Rest well at home—I’ll go stew a pork knuckle for you.”

Afraid Chun Xi would press the matter, Madam Wang hurried into the kitchen.

Madam Qian stepped forward and comforted gently, “Don’t be angry, sister. Mother was just worried you’d suffer. When she heard you were assigned to serve the young master, she cried for days.”

Serving a bedridden person was extremely hard work, especially someone like Wei Lingze—once heaven’s favored son—whose temperament had become unpredictable. Three years sounded short, but only those who endured it day by day knew the hardship.

Chun Xi believed her sister-in-law.

Eight years ago, when she sold herself into servitude, her mother had also cried desperately. But what did that change?

She was still sold.

In the evening, her younger brother Cao Wen returned from school. Seeing Chun Xi, he rushed over, calling “Elder Sister” again and again. Chun Xi rubbed his head, warmth rising faintly in her heart.

Her elder brother, Cao Wu, worked at a lumber workshop outside the city and only came home during festivals or when delivering goods.

After Cao Wen returned, the family sat down for dinner.

Besides the tender stewed pork knuckle, Madam Wang had also cooked twice-cooked pork and steamed buns.

Chun Xi had a good appetite. She ate five meat buns and drank two bowls of soup before stopping.

Madam Wang hesitated but couldn’t hold back. “You lived and ate with the young master, didn’t you? Did you eat like this in front of him too?”

Chun Xi no longer received monthly wages. Although she had brought back a carriage full of goods, eating like this was still quite alarming.

“At the Wei household, I was just a servant. I wasn’t even qualified to sit at the table—how could I eat with the young master?”

After being rebuked repeatedly, Madam Wang didn’t dare say more.

After dinner, Chun Xi washed the dishes and cleaned the kitchen. Only after finishing everything did she wash her feet and lie down.

Breathing in the familiar camphor scent of the quilt, Chun Xi slowly let out a sigh, the corners of her lips lifting.

Not having to serve anyone anymore was… truly wonderful.